Cavinti's Japanese Garden

Large trees, manicured lawns, tidy steps and pathways and toriis and ponds are just some of the things you can see in Cavinti's Japanese Garden.

The Japanese Garden is a shrine created by Philippine-Japan Friendship Society in memory of the Japanese soldiers who died during the encounter between the Japanese and Filipino-American troops at the close of World War II. At the center of the Garden is a tomb that commemorates those who died in the battle.

The Garden is also said to symbolize the amity and friendship that exist between the Philippines and Japan after the war. There are picnic huts on the lower level of the garden where visitors can sit and enjoy a snack. The place for me is a perfect place to just relax and unwind and also an awesome spot to do some photo-shooting. Here are some snaps:

Chains and Memories

Humbled by Large Trees

Commemorative Tomb

Greens and Stones

The Memorial

Walk this Way

View of the Lake

Pathway and Shades

Koi Pond

How to go there? Japanese Garden is located along Lake Caliraya at Bgy. Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna. It is few meters off the main road so it would better if you bring your own car along. From Manila you can teke the longer SLEX route or the more difficult but scenic Rizal route.

For SLEX, take last exit to Calamba, turn right to Calamba Junction towards Los Banos all the way to Pagsanjan Church. Turn left passing through to Palacol Bridge going toward Barangay Bagong Silang and start ascend to Caliraya Lake. For Rizal route, proceed to Marikina all the way to the Cainta junction towards Taytay. Following the main highway bound for Laguna pass through the eight municipalities of Rizal. Make a U-turn at Barangay Bagong Silang, Lumban to start ascend to Caliraya Lake.

For commuters, take on buses bound to Sta Cruz (HM Transit on EDSA Cubao or Green Star on Taft Ave). The bus will go through South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and will exit at Calamba tollgate. Get off at the terminal in Pagsawitan, Sta. Cruz, Laguna then ride a jeepney with Lumot signboard. The Lumot-bound jeepney will take you directly to Japanese Garden.